One of the best German traditions is the local Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) which exists in just about every town during the holiday season. Mainly these are just collections of trinkets and food. But they are fun. And the food is the best part!
Note that this isn't exactly GF-specific because regular gluehwein is already GF. The problem with the local gluehwein is the amount of sugar that is added to the wine. It tastes great but leaves you with the worst headache the next morning, not to mention the extra calories. My mission was to make it with organic wine to eliminate the added sulfites and also to remove the refined sugar. We (my husband and I) decided to substitute the cup of sugar with 8 tablespoons of agave syrup and see if it passed the test. Two of our closest German friends came over tonight to try our hausgemacht (homemade) gluehwein and they loved it. I have to say it passed the test!
Ingredients:
- 750ml - 1L red wine (a bottle) - something inexpensive, full-bodied and fruity - we used Burgundy
- 2 cinnamon sticks broken in half
- 16 whole cloves
- 1 orange cut into slices
- 8 Tbsp agave syrup
- 3/4 tsp ground allspice
- 3/4 tsp nutmeg
- 3/4 tsp coriander
- 1 cup water
Pour everything into a large pot and simmer on medium heat for 30 mins. Do NOT boil. Then drink! For some additional goodness, put a shot of Amaretto in each glass. Mmmmm... Enjoy during this wonderful Holiday Season!
Print Recipe.
Print Recipe.
Figured out an even easier way to make this that tastes even better! You need to get a product called Spice Hunter New England Mulling Spices (check them out in my store under the "Miscellaneous" section). These packets are all natural and take the place of all the ingredients other than the wine and the agave syrup. Combine 1L wine, 8 Tbsp agave syrup and 2 Tbsp of the mulling spices in a teapot (just a standard teapot) and simmer for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Then just pour and drink! The teapot strains the spices for you and all that's left for cleanup is rinsing out the teapot. I then like to add a shot of Amaretto but Jenn prefers is straight. You decide.
ReplyDelete- The Husband
Mmmmm tonights gluehwein was awesome! Perfect blend of spice and just a little sweet.
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